The fourth Express Entry draw of 2023 was conducted on 2nd February by IRCC. It was Canada’s first FSWP-only draw conducted within the Express Entry system.
3300 candidates with at least a CRS score of 489 received invitations from IRCC. This is the first time in the history of Express Entry that it only applies to FSWP – (Federal Skilled Workers Program) applicants. ITAs are awarded only to candidates who had already received the provincial nomination on 1 February 2023, the first program-specific draw.
Express Entry draw in 2023 – An overview
In most cases, Express Entry draws occur every two weeks on Wednesdays. In 2023, Express Entry draws will follow a different protocol than those seen since the program was launched in 2015.
Immediately following the November 23 draw, there was an unexpected six-week break until January 11, when the first draw of this year occurred. As IRCC to media, the introduction of NOC 2021 may have caused a malfunction in the IT system.
An invitation was sent to 5,500 applicants with a minimum CRS score of 507 on January 11. Due to the return of all-program draws after an 18-month pandemic break, the CRS cut-off score was the lowest and there were the most applicants.
As a result of the same number of applicants, another draw occurred on January 18 with a lower CRS score of 490. Since IRCC typically does not give ITAs to candidates over a two-week period, this draw caught everyone off guard.
Express Entry draws were conducted for PNP applicants only
Since June 2022, only applicants with a provincial nomination have been invited to the latest Express Entry draw, which took place on 1 February after a two-week break. Even prior to the pandemic, program-specific draws by the IRCC were uncommon. Nearly every Express Entry draw has shown the Federal Skilled Trades Program to be an exception.
Since the IRCC stopped doing the all-program draw during the COVID-19 pandemic, there hasn’t been an Express Entry draw for PNP-only applicants. Applicants with a provincial nomination in Express Entry were still eligible for draws during the hiatus.
Nominated candidates automatically gain 600 extra CRS points for their Express Entry applications.
Taking a look ahead
Bill C-19 received royal assent this year, which will likely result in changes to Express Entry. Canada’s economic priorities and critical labor shortages can be met by extending invitations to applicants under the new law. IRCC is expected to start holding draws that focus on specific criteria in addition to CRS ratings before granting ITAs based solely on CRS ratings.
Recently, the IRCC announced the completion of public consultations on the potential design of the new attribute-based categories. The characteristics of a candidate might include their career path, education, work history, or language ability. Prior to the draws, the department will announce new categories.
Express Entry – What is it?
The Canadian government employs the Express Entry ranking system to organize and process immigration applications to Canada through a variety of immigration programs, including the FSWP, CEC, and FSTP. The software was introduced in 2015 with the goal of streamlining and accelerating immigration processes.
The construction of an online profile outlining a candidate’s training, employment history, language abilities, and other pertinent details is the first step in the Express Entry application process. Candidates are rated based on their CRS score and the information provided. Every two weeks, the top-ranked candidates are selected at random to submit their applications for permanent residence.
Due to the demand-driven nature of the Express Entry system, receiving an ITA requires a minimum CRS score. This score may change as the need for skilled workers fluctuates in Canada. Express Entry considerably streamlines the immigration procedure, which benefits skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada. Additionally, the processing of applications for permanent residency has been accelerated, making it simpler for applicants to immigrate to Canada.
Express Entry has grown to be a popular option for immigrants who want to start over in Canada. It is a quick and effective method of applying for immigration to Canada.
